The reason why I love the TV show Modern Family so much is because it wasn’t afraid to tackle real life family issues.
The first family (left) is about a super hot Colombian mother who falls in love with a guy who is way older than her. The second family (middle) is the “normal-from-the-outside-chaotic-from-the-inside” family, which reminds me a lot of my own. The third family (right) is about a gay couple who adopts their first child.
Of course some of the themes and humor are not for younger audiences so lucky for them young ones, there’s now a local children’s storybook that discusses unconventional set ups.
I’m proud to present to you the 2006 First Prize awardee in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin written by Bernadette Villanueva Neri and illustrated by my friend CJ de Silva.
Maraming anyo ang pamilya. Tulad ng mga bulaklak sa isang halamanan, mayroon itong iba’t ibang itsura, kulay, bango, at laki. Sapagkat ang anumang uri ng pagsasamang nakasandig sa pag-ibig ay dapat kilalanin bilang pamilya. Isa rito ang kuwento ni Ikaklit. Bagaman iba sa trasdisyunal, maituturing na pamilya ang samahang bumibigkis sa kaniya at sa dalawa niyang ina.
CJ first encountered this short story as an assigned reading in her Panitikang Pilipino 19 (Sexuality in Philippine Literature) class in UP Diliman last 2007. Her professor mentioned that the story got rejected by mainstream publications for its homosexual theme. CJ looked for the writer and presented to illustrate for free, as long as they could publish and share it to the world. They worked on it for a year and they just launched it last September 13th.
I asked where the book was available and I was told that most bookstores and publishers have rejected the book because of its homosexual theme. How heartbreaking is that?
I think it’s important for children to be aware of people who are not exactly like them so they can grow up to be open-minded and respectful of others’ beliefs. It’s a good gift idea especially for those who are just starting a family!
For now, Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin is available at the UP Faculty Center or you may send an e-mail to publikasyong.twamkittens@gmail.com or contact@cjdesilva.com and they’ll ship it to you.
Saabscribe!!
The writer was my professor a few years ago in UP Manila. Great witer.
good for Ma’am Neri! She was my Malikhaing Pagsusulat prof back in 2010 i think. Magaling siya. I’m so happy CJ helped her! galing. I will help plug this book also.
:)
I heard about this story when it won the Palanca award then. I’ve been sifting National bookstores and online looking for this one, so thanks Saab! :)
This is something that I’d love to read myself. The world needs to be more accepting to relevant stories like this one.
What a small world, Ma’am Det was my prof in Malikhaing Pagsulat! :)
“I think it’s important for children to be aware of people who are not exactly like them so they can grow up to be open-minded and respectful of others’ beliefs.”
-this one really is a nice thought saab. Kadalasan kase pag bata, iniiwas sa gays para daw “hindi mahawa”. da phuck??
So… how much is the book?
How much is the book, Saab?
You may e-mail the author/illustrator for details :)
I think people should not confine themselves in a box and should be more open to such events because this is what really happens in our country. I belong to a strict Filipino-Chinese Catholic family and I was surprised when I learned that my boyfriend has 2 moms (same as Glee’s Rachel having 2 dads). Same in the series, they are 2 lovely people who just love each other and it reflects in their family. You can see it in their “children” on how much they love and care for each other. I fell in love with my boyfriend not just because he’s handsome but because of his values too and I have to thank his 2 moms for that. I believe that as long as love and respect is the core then there’s nothing wrong with that.
Awwww it’s so nice to hear about open-minded people like you <3 Stay in love!
This book looks amazing. I’m definitely adding this to my children’s book collection. I hope it won’t burn my pockets!